Carl A Loc: Homosassa FL

Hasselblad Camera body only $40.600.00 ? What makes a camera
worth $ 40.600.00 . That cost more then my first house

dcampbell52 Loc: Clearwater Fl

Hasselblad is a medium format camera that has 50 mp resolution and is used by photographers that shoot portrait, fashion, and images to be blown up large (like for billboards etc. I am not saying this is all that they are used for but it is used for that. NASA also uses them (as well as Nikon) and if you want a couple for free, NASA left on average 2 - 3 bodies and lenses for each lunar expedition, on the moon. (they are on the surface somewhere near each of the lunar landing platforms. The part left by the lunar lander when it took off).
By the way, the 40k does not include lenses which are extremely expensive too. Each lens has the shutter in the lens as opposed to on the body (assuming that Hassey hasn't changed their lens design since I had mine in the 1970's). They are VERY nice cameras but I wouldn't pay 40k for one either. But I might if my income depended on it. If you look, many of the successful magazine / product shooters have a couple in addition to their full frame Canons and Nikons.

richosob Loc: Lambertville, MI

I've seen some selling for $50,000.00 or more. I have the same question as you do. What makes them worth that much?

Rich

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

People willing to pay. How about $1,000,000 plus for a Veyron?

tradio Loc: Oxford, Ohio

Don't forget to buy an extra for a "back up"

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Goes without saying. :D

XKaliber

Well my friend, you are asking one of those "Eternal" questions that probably will never be answered to your satisfaction.
I bought my first Hasselblad Camera set up some 40 years ago; Back when digital was still very much in just the idea stage. It was at that time the finest medium sized format camera for taking pictures on this planet. It was the standard by which all other cameras of this sized format were measured. It used a collection of lenses made by Carl Zeiss, and to my knowledge there were no other lenses made generically that would fit the Hasselblad body. So, you are talking about a very exclusive club when referring to Hasselblad owners.

There is also a kicker which needs to be mentioned. Hasselblad cameras and Carl Zeiss lenses were the only combination to make up imaging capturing devices for the U.S. space program. Back then, when those choices were made, they looked for simple design and proven durability, reliability, with optimum results. That was Hasselblad in spades.

Back then, my Hasselblad Camera setup was the "C" body, Zeiss lens and the film back which held the film for the camera. I had a few filters, an extension tube, a flash set up and a sturdy tripod... along with a set of studio strobe lights. That whole bundle cost nearly $5000.00 back then. It was a much simpler camera than even the simplest digital cameras available now... it was completely manual from focusing to metering to film advance.

Now, jumping ahead 4 decades, you are talking about a camera that is much more complicated, with a flawless reputation, that commands a premium price. It still belongs to only the upper echelons of serious professional photographers.

I guess the best way to finish my response to your inquiry would be to give you an analogy. It is exactly the same thing as wondering why there is so much difference in price between a high end Mercedes with all its bells and whistles, and a basic Ford Fusion. Both will perform the task of getting the driver from point A to point B. It is HOW that task is accomplished, what comfort the user derives during the trip, along with the projected image of owning the Mercedes rather than the Fusion.

Hasselblad has the reputation and the clout to command that price for their product line. They don't cut corners and they don't want to run with the pack... They want to be a clear front runner and do what it takes to remain there.

Of course this all comes with an admitted caveat; All things written above is only the expressed opinions of a single Hasselblad owner, who can no longer afford to run with the elite owners of today's Hasselblad equipment.

I hope this helps you wrap your mind around one way of looking at your eternal question. :)

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

Primarily the name.
The 50MP Hasselblad uses the exact same Sony sensor as the 50MP Pentax 645Z, but the Pentax is only $8995. The Pentax offers MUCH higher ISO capability due to its better processor though, as well as faster AF.
Look for medium format offerings from Nikon as well as direct from Sony using the same sensor as soon as they complete development of appropriate format lenses.

SonnyE Loc: Communist California, USA

Idiots with more money than brains.
And clowns wanting to follow them.

Of course, flashing a camera like that around could win you some sizable contracts, if that might be what you are after.

It's not the car. It's the nut holding the steering wheel. :twisted:

wisner Loc: The planet Twylo

Typically, the photographers buying this camera are high end fashion and product shooters. Their clients expect the best image quality possible; Hasselblad will provide that. If you are in that business and are successful, $40,000 is just another business expense and will be recouped with a few jobs. I have shot with their back designed for the 500C series and the file resulting is truly amazing.
One of their reps came to the College where I teach and brought a sampling of their cameras; one would shoot 5 exposures at different focus points and combine them to produce a 1.2 GB file: my computer had a meltdown trying to open it!

rook2c4 Loc: Philadelphia, PA USA

If your annual earnings exceed $1 M, then $40,000 is pocket change. Doesn't mean you're an idiot or a nut to indulge in the best money can buy, be it for professional use or for strictly hobby purposes.

dsmeltz Loc: Philadelphia

Yeah!

Don't want to have to change lenses while shooting the rapids on the Colorado river!

I always strap $100K in fragile equipment to my body before doing anything risky!

Rongnongno Loc: FL

40k? It is a give away!

Honestly this question makes no sense, sorry.

SonnyE Loc: Communist California, USA

Ever hear the saying:
"A fool and his money are soon parted."
The price of the Hass alone could get ZSGramps another D810 and trimmings. Even some more Super Glue to seal the lenses on. :twisted:

Hey. Live like you wanna live, Baby. ;)

BHC Loc: Strawberry Valley, JF, USA

Ah, He'll, Jerry; once you've seen one Bug, you've seen them all.